Scientists of the Crimean Federal University became the winners of a grant from the Russian Science Foundation, the press service of the Crimean Federal University named after V.I. Vernadsky. The development is devoted to the creation of oligonucleotide insecticides (DNA insecticides) based on antisense technologies aimed at regulating the number of insect pests. This was announced by the project manager, Doctor of Biology, Head of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology of KFU Vladimir Oberemok.
The grant is for three years. The total amount of financing will be 16 million 800 thousand rubles.
Thanks to the fifteen-year work of scientists from the Crimean Federal University, this development turned out to be successful and in demand. Its scientific uniqueness lies in the fact that no one in the world has created such drugs.
“We pioneered the development of contact insecticides based on nucleic acids for agriculture. A significant result of our work will be the emergence of a new generation of drugs for controlling the number of insect pests, which will bring economic benefits without harm to non-target organisms,” said Vladimir Oberemok.
According to the scientist, the finished product is a liquid that will be sprayed on plants affected by pests.
“As a rule, these insects are invisible and often found on plants. For example, they may look like a small bump on the leaf surface. These include scale insects, false scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, psyllids and others, which, by sucking the juices from the plant, in fact, lead to its weakening and, as a result, a significant decrease in yield,” the scientist noted. This issue is very relevant for seed potatoes, for which it is the aphids that are carriers of viruses and the threat of obtaining high-quality material.
Five young scientists of the Crimean Federal University are involved in the work on the project. The scientific team will synthesize oligonucleotide insecticides in the laboratory and conduct research in the field.
“This opens up new horizons for the use of nucleic acids as an active tool for influencing the cell. In fact, the work uses a technology that was invented by nature itself. In the process of research, we found out that the plant itself on the surface of the leaves is able to form a nanolayer of DNA-insecticides, formed from its own DNA,” Vladimir Oberemok added.
The scientist noted that the finished product will be important both for plant protection and for the environment. Compared with chemicals that have a fairly long half-life and insufficient selectivity, oligonucleotide insecticides will be safe not only for beneficial insects, but also for human health.